★★★☆☆ Darren Harriott’s 2023 Fringe offering Roadman again proves the Black Country native’s ability to be very funny, but it also sees him struggle to form any kind of narrative or tension.
Laura Ramoso made a name for herself with viral sketches on TikTok and Instagram. Now, she's making her debut at Edinburgh’s Fringe with Frances - a one-woman sketch show that sees her successfully transition from small screen to stage.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is officially underway - here's our guide to making the most of the festival, including reviews, interviews, and what not to wear on your feet.
★★★★☆
In I Think You Should Leave season 3, Tim Robinson continues his run of the best, and dumbest, sketch show on TV. Here’s our review:
Growing up with limited TV channels in rural Canada led Ryan to learn about the world through The Simpsons.
Millions watched comedians Stevie Martin and Lola-Rose Maxwell satirise the modern world over Zoom during lockdown. Now they’ve written a TV show, called screen time, and it’s out today.
From essential teatime viewing to the bottom of the streaming pile, we ask why no-one makes sketch shows anymore, and are they due for a comeback?
Phoebe Waller-Bridge has announced a £100,000 fund to assist performers in putting on shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where she took Fleabag in 2013.
Michelle Brasier is an Australian comedian, embarking on a five-night run at London’s 21 Soho, starting this evening (6th March). She also has the predicted lifespan of an average bear, which is the name of her show.
The comedy television series Fawlty Towers is set to return after 44 years, with John Cleese returning to play Basil Fawlty.
When Peter and Debbie meet the terrifyingly outgoing Elsa, they do everything in their power to stop themselves inviting her to stay.
The finalists for the 2022 Turnip Prize have been announced, with the winner of the annual spoof art prize set to be announced on 7 December.
For over 20 years, Nick Helm has journeyed to Edinburgh’s cobbled, hallowed ground, talking largely about himself. This year’s no different, except he’s happier. It shows.
Bilal Zafar’s Edinburgh Fringe show ‘Care’ explores his time working for wealthy people in a care home on minimum wage, immediately after finishing his media degree. A previous nominee for the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer award, we caught up with Bilal to discuss the premise of his show, the significance of the Fringe and how he developed a strong following on Twitch during lockdown.
We went for a coffee with Michael Akadiri, discussing his ongoing Fringe show No Scrubs, balancing being a comedian with being a full-time doctor, and the way comedy’s evolved in recent years.
★★★★★
Jessica begins by telling her audience that the past two years of isolation have made her weird, before clarifying it’s made us all weird.
★★★★☆
I genuinely don’t think Lou Sanders will mind my describing her set as ‘unhinged’. It was as unpredictable as it was hilarious.
★★★★★
Whipsmart, yet relaxed, Rajiv Karia oozes confidence on stage. The millennial son of immigrants, he wonders if he’s too settled in his comfortable East London existence.
The Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe award has been revealed, with the winner being a pun about pasta – from a comedian who works part-time as a care worker on minimum wage.
Pub stories are a way of bringing up the grand after the Carling kicks in. Here we learn of the handy exploits of a man named Milky in York.
★★★★★
With the best gag about tanks at the Fringe, Tom Lucy is an absolute hoot. Expect to hear his name a lot more on the comedy circuit in the future.
★★★★☆
With millions of fans online, Max Fosh has done a fine job of converting his viral sensations into a live show.
★★★☆☆
Tessa Coates' new Fringe offering is quirky and amusing, but for a show so anecdotal, the stories feel a little bit more manufactured than is being let on.
★★★★☆
Wide-eyed and gregarious, Jack Barry is a bundle of energy, hurtling his way through life with jokes aplenty.
Nick Helm’s What Have We Become? begins as something of a rage against civilisation, before gradually softening into a thoughtful tale of growth, set over the last three years.
★★★☆☆
Rosie Holt offers an hour’s entertainment for the political junkies – but like many a politician’s pledge, it doesn’t quite deliver.
Doctor and comedian Michael Akadiri makes his full fringe debut with 'No Scrubs' - an hour of both serious and light-hearted laughter.
★★★★☆
Amy Gledhill gives us the trials and tribulations of her love life; there’s romance, “juice” and a moment to forget in front of the Queen.
★★★★☆
The winner of Best Show at Leicester Comedy Show 2021, Esther Manito takes her #NotAllMen show to the Edinburgh Fringe, delivering an hour of punchy, personal wit.
Organisers of Britain's top comedy and performing arts festival have received a slew of complaints over mismanagement.
